CHAPTER: 7

CONTOURING

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Surveying I (3-1-4)
Content of the course
Chapter-7 Contouring (4 hr)
Basic definitions in contouring
Contour interval
Characteristics of contours
Methods of Contouring
Interpolation of Contours
Uses of Contour Maps
Instruction on field works

Carries about 8 to 15 marks in final examination question.

 Contour lines:
• An imaginary curved line, on the ground
joining the points of equal elevation is
known as Contour/Contour lines.
• It is a plan projection of the plane passing
through the points of equal height on the
surface of earth.
• They can be used to learn about the shape
of land.
• A map with only a few contour lines will be
flat whereas if a map has lots of contour
lines it is a mountainous or hilly area.
• The contour lines are numbered giving the
height above sea level in meters.
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CONTOUR MAP & CONTOURING
• A map showing contour line is knows as
contour map.
• Thus, a contour map of an area gives an
idea of altitude or reduced levels of ground
surface and their relative positions in plan.

• The process of tracing contour lines on the

surface of the earth is known as contouring.
• In other words, contouring is the
determination of elevation of various points
on the ground and fixing these points of
same horizontal positions in the contour
map.
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CONTOUR INTERVAL (CI)
• A contour interval is the vertical distance or the difference in the
elevation between the two contour lines.
• Usually there are different contour intervals for the different
maps but for a particular map the contour interval is always kept
constant.
• Considering the size of the area to be mapped, contour intervals
are assumed. In every map, on the right-hand bottom side, the
contour interval is specified.
• When the contour interval is not specified in the map, it can be
calculated by using the formula:
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Contour Interval (CI) = Meter
𝑁𝑜.𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝐾𝑖𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
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CONTOUR INTERVAL (CI)
For Example:
Find a suitable contour interval on a map on scale 1 : 20,000.

Solution:

On a 1 : 20,000 scale, Now,

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1 m = 20,000 m Contour Interval = 𝑁𝑜.𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝐾𝑖𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
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100 cm = 20,000 m = 5
1 cm = 200 m =4m
1 cm = 0.2 km Hence, contour interval (CI) for given scale of map is 4 m.
1
1 km = 0.2 = 5 cm

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CONTOUR INTERVAL (CI)
How to Calculate Contour Interval from
Maps?
• A contour map consists of contour
lines of a given geographical region.
To keep the contour map simple and
easy to read, not every contour line
is marked with its elevation reading.
• These marked or labeled lines are
known or termed as Index Contour
Lines. In the figure, the dark lines
with reading are index contour lines.
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 CONTOUR INTERVAL (CI)
Step 1:
Firstly locate 2 index contour lines that are labeled with a specific elevation.
Step 2:
Now calculate the difference between the two-selected index contour line
selected from a map. To take the difference, subtract the higher elevated line
with the lower elevated line reading.
Step 3:
Now count the number of non-index lines contour lines between the 2 indexes
contour lines selected for the contour interval calculating in the 1 st step.
Step 4:
The number of lines obtained in the above step is taken and added with 1.
For Ex: If the number of lines between 2 index lines is 5. Then add 1 to 5 that
becomes 6.
Step 5:
The final step is the quotient of the difference between 2 index lines (step 2)
and the number of lines in between two index lines plus 1 (step 5).
Step 6:
The final answer we get after dividing is the contour interval of the specific
topographical map. 8
 CONTOUR INTERVAL (CI)
Example Calculation of Contour Intervals:
Considering the above map, the steps involved in contour interval calculation are,
Let’s assume, 7000 and 7100 and calculate the interval between it.

Now difference between 7100 and 7000 is 7100 – 7000 = 100

The number of contour lines in-between 7000 and 7100 are 4.
Adding 1 to 4, 4 + 1 = 5
Now dividing 100 by 5,
100/5 = 20 units
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CONTOUR INTERVAL (CI)
Factors Affecting the Selection of Contour Interval
S.N Factors Select High CI like 1m, 2m, 5m or Select Low CI like 0.5m, 0.25m,
more 0.1m or less
1 Scale of the map For small scale maps covering a For large maps showing details of a
wide area of varying terrain small area

2 Purpose of survey For rough topographical map If a detailed map is to be prepared

meant for initial assessment only for execution work

3 Nature of ground If the ground has large variation If the terrain is comparatively level
in levels, for instance, hills and
ponds
4 Time and resources If less time and resources are If time and resources abundant
available available
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Horizontal Equivalent:

• Horizontal equivalent is the least

horizontal distance two consecutive
contour lines measured to the scale of
map.
• For a contour map the horizontal
equivalent is not constant. It varies
according to the steepness of the ground.
• For steep slopes, the contour lines run
close together and for flatter slopes they
are widely spaced.
• Horizontal equivalent is comparatively less
in hills than in plains. 11
Comparison between Contour Interval and Horizontal Equivalent

S. N Contour Interval Horizontal Equivalent

1 It is based on vertical levels. Represents horizontal distance.
2 No measurement or scaling is required The distance must be measured on the
since the contour levels are indicated on map and converted to actual distance by
the contour lines. multiplying with the scale of the map.

3 In a given map the contour interval is a The horizontal equivalent varies with
constant. slope. Closer distance indicates steep slope
and wider distance gentle slope.

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Characteristics of Contour
All points in a contour line have the same elevation.

Flat ground is indicated where the contours are widely separated and
steep- slope where they run close together.

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A uniform slope is indicated when the contour lines are uniformly
spaced and

A plane surface when they are straight, parallel and equally

spaced.

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A series of closed contour lines on the map represent a hill , if the
higher values are inside.

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A series of closed contour lines on the map indicate a depression if
the higher values are outside.

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Contour lines cannot merge or cross one another on map except
in the case of an overhanging cliff.

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Contour lines never run into one another except in the case of a
vertical cliff. In this case ,several contours coincide and the horizontal
equivalent becomes zero.

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A dip or low point along the crest of a ridge is known as a saddle. It
is represented by four sets of contours as shown. It represents a dip in a
ridge or the junction of two ridges.

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Contour lines cross ridge line at right angle. The contour lines form U-
shaped curves with their concave sides towards the higher elevations.

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Contour lines cross Valley line at right angle. The contour lines
form V- shaped curves with their convex sides towards the higher
elevations.

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Terrain features can be learned using the fist or hand to show what
each would look like on the ground.

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Uses of Contour Maps
It is used to select the most economical and suitable site for various
engineering works like canal, sewer, road, reservoir, railway etc.

 It is used to study the general characteristics of ground whether it is

flat, undulating or mountainous.

It helps to locate the physical features of the ground such as a pond,
depression, hill, steep or small slopes.

It helps to trace out the given grade of a particular route.

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It helps to locate the alignment of a canal so that it should follow a
ridge line.

It helps to determine the catchment area of the river.

The storage capacity of a reservoir can be determined from the

contour map.

It helps to compute the earth work required for cutting and filling
along the linear alignment of projects such as canals, roads etc.

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 Methods of Contouring
Field work for locating contours may be executed in two different ways:

Method

Direct Method Indirect Method

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a) Direct Method
Contours to be located are directly traced out in a field by locating
and marking a number of points on each contour.

Most accurate method but very slow and tedious.

Lots of time is wasted in searching points of same elevation for a

contour.

Suitable for small area where greater accuracy is required.

The whole field work is divided into two steps:

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i) The location of the points on the contours. i.e. Vertical control

ii) Plotting of the points on the plane table section. i.e. Horizontal control
Vertical Control
 The points on the contours are traced with the help of level and staff.

 The level is set at a position from where maximum area is covered.

 The staff is kept on BM and the height of instrument is determined.

 If BM is not nearby, fly leveling may be carried out to establish a

temporary bench mark in that area.
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 After knowing the height of instrument, the staff reading is calculated
so that the bottom of staff is at an elevation equal to the value of contour
to be plotted.

Horizontal Control
After locating the points for various contours vertically they are to be
surveyed with a suitable control system for horizontal location.

The location of points are traced by the method of plane tabling, chain
survey or using theodolite.

The contour are drawn through these points.

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For accurate contouring sufficient numbers of points at close interval
are required.
For Example

If the height of instrument is 800.25 m, the staff reading to plot a

contour of 800 m will be 0.25 m. Taking one contour at a time (for 800
m contour) the staff man is directed to keep the staff on those points
where staff reading of 0.25 m is obtained.

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 b) Indirect Method
Commonly employed in all kinds of surveys as this is cheaper, quicker
and less tedious.

In this method the points located and surveyed are not necessarily on
the contour lines.

Spot levels are taken along the series of lines laid out over the area.

The position of spot level are then plotted on the plan and the
contours are drawn by interpolation.

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This method of contouring is also known as contouring by spot level.

There are mainly three methods in indirect contouring.

Indirect Method

Square Cross-section Tacheometric

Method Method Method

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Square Method
Suitable in low undulations without any vegetative covers.

The whole area is divided into number of squares.

The sides of square may vary from 5 m to 30 m depending upon the

nature of ground and the contour interval.

The corners of the squares are pegged out and the reduced level are
determined with the help of level.

The square are plotted and reduced levels of corners are written on the
plan. 32
Finally the contours of desired values are found by interpolation.

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Cross-section Method
•This method is suitable for the surveys of long narrow strip such as
road, railway or canal alignment.

•Cross sections perpendicular to the center line of the area are set out.

•Spacing of the cross sections depends upon the contour interval, scale
of plan and characteristics of ground.

•Commonly the spacing is taken 10 to 20 m in hilly area and 20 to 30 m

in flat region.

•The center line and cross section are plotted along with important
features on desired scale and their RLs are entered. 34
•The contour lines are then interpolated with respect to these RLs.

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Tacheometric Method

Most suitable in hilly areas.

A number of radial lines are laid out at known angular interval.

Representative points are marked by pegs along these radial lines.

The elevation and distance are then calculated and plotted on the plan.

Finally contour lines are determine by interpolation.

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 Comparison: Direct method Vs Indirect method
Direct Method Indirect Method
Not very accurate but quicker and less
1 Very accurate but slow and tedious
tedious.
2 Expensive Reasonable cost

Appropriate for small projects Suitable for large projects requiring

requiring high accuracy, e.g., layout of moderate to low accuracy, e.g., layout of
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building, factory, structural highway, railway, canal, etc.
foundations, etc.

More suitable for low undulating

4 Suitable for hilly terrain.
terrain.
Calculations need to be carried out in
5 Calculation in the field is not mandatory.
the field
After contouring, calculation cannot Calculations can be checked as and when
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be checked. needed 38
Interpolation of Contour
Process of drawing contours proportionately between the plotted
ground points or in between plotted contours.

The slope of the ground between any two points is assumed to be

uniform.

It is necessary incase of indirect contouring as only spot level are

taken.

There are three main methods of interpolation.

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 Interpolation Method

Arithmetical Graphical
Estimation
Calculation Method

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Estimation
The position of the contour points between ground - points are
estimated roughly.

The contours are then drawn through these points.

This is a rough method and is suitable for small scale maps

Arithmetical Calculation

This is very tedious but accurate method.

It is used for small areas where accurate results are necessary. 41
Example

Consider the ADMP is surveyed

plot, then whole area is divided
into number of squares and RL
are plotted at every spot. Then
if the required contour is
89.000m, then consider small
square ABGH.
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 •Then the difference in elevation
between A & B is (90.895 – 88.420 )
which is 2.475 m in distance of 5m.

•Then by similar triangle method.

0.58/x = 2.475/5
x = 1.17 m from point A

•Similarly for point A & H

0.58/x = 2.135/5
x = 1.358 m from point A.

•Then plot 89.00 m contour by scale.

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Graphical Method
Actual calculation for interpolation between known heights is not
done.

Location of contours are obtained graphically with the help of tracing

paper.

There are two methods for graphical tracing.

i) Drawing parallel lines

ii) Drawing radiating lines

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